SM
Barcelona vs. Brann: 3 hrs 47 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

Mario Balotelli sets sights on Italy's Euro 2020 squad

:Headline: Mario Balotelli sets sights on Italy's Euro 2020 squad: ID:368617: from db_amp
The 29-year-old was a free agent after being released by Marseille.

Mario Balotelli has set his sights on breaking into Italy's Euro 2020 squad after making his mother cry by completing a move to hometown club Brescia.

The former Manchester City and Liverpool striker – born in Palermo but brought up by his adoptive parents in Brescia – is reported to have turned down an offer from Brazilian club Flamengo to sign a "multi-year" contract with last season's Serie B champions.

The 29-year-old had been a free agent since he was released by Ligue 1 side Marseille at the end of last season.

Balotelli has won 36 caps for his country, scoring 14 goals, and hopes having his former City boss Roberto Mancini in charge of the national team can help him find a way back into the Italy set-up.

"I am absolutely targeting a place in the Italy squad for Euro 2020," he said, in quotes reported by Football Italia.

"I spoke to Mancini when he wished me a happy birthday (earlier this month)."

Discussing the reaction of his mother when she learned of the move, Balotelli added: "My mum cried when I told her I had the possibility of coming to Brescia.

Mario Balotelli has been a controversial character during his career (Martin Rickett/PA)

"I asked what she thought and she was just crying. She's very happy.

"My father was from Brescia, he supported the team and it was his dream to see me play with this jersey, so I think he'd be happy too.

"The president and I had already met in England many years ago. (Agent) Mino Raiola proposed the idea and it really wasn't difficult for me to choose Brescia."

Balotelli was the target of racist abuse during previous spells in Serie A and stressed: "I hope with all my heart that we do not see a repeat of incidents that happened many, many years ago when I was last in Italy.

"I can't start thinking about that, though."

amp_article__368617 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-08-19 18:37:16:
html db last update - 2021-03-11 10:43:57 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Mario Balotelli

Click here for more stories about Brescia

Share this article now:
Read more about Mario Balotelli Football
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Parma30198357302765
2VeneziaVenezia30176756352157
3Cremonese30168640241656
4Como30167743331055
5Palermo30147952411149
6CatanzaroCatanzaro3014794739849
7Sampdoria30126124144-340
8Brescia3091293331239
9SudtirolSudtirol30108123939038
10Cittadella30108123439-538
11Pisa30910113638-237
12Reggiana3071673133-237
13Modena3081393540-537
14Cosenza CalcioCosenza30810123133-234
15BariBari30713102937-834
16Ternana3088143540-532
17AscoliAscoli30710133236-431
18SpeziaSpezia30613112842-1431
19FeralpiSaloFeralpiSalo3076173449-1527
20Lecco3056192858-3021
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .